Photo: Bwsmith84 · CC BY 3.0On FEMA’s figures, few U.S. towns expect less hazard damage per building than Cadiz, mostly from river and rain flooding
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cadiz gets an A+ for hazard risk: among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns, #1 of 993 in Ohio. Most of that expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%). FEMA’s files show no paid flood insurance claims here.
Graded on FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value (NRI v1.20, December 2025), weighted by where residents live; flood claims are shown, not graded. How hazard risk is graded
What Cadiz faces
Each hazard’s share of the building damage FEMA expects here, and how its rate compares with the rest of the country.
River and rain flooding
Hail
Tornadoes
Strong wind
Shares are of FEMA’s expected building damage, the measure the grade uses; ranks compare each hazard’s building-damage rate with all 85,154 U.S. census tracts. In FEMA’s terms, river and rain flooding is FEMA’s “Inland Flooding” (rivers and streams overflowing their banks, or rain overwhelming drainage). FEMA defines coastal flooding as high or rising tides and storm surge, so surge damage is counted there. Drought isn’t listed: FEMA counts its losses in crops only.
What’s behind Cadiz’s grade
River and rain flooding is 69% of the building damage FEMA expects in Cadiz, and Cadiz’s rate of river and rain flooding damage is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts. Next is hail at 10% (higher than 81% of U.S. census tracts).
A+ #1 of 993 in Ohio; among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns (21,298).
All of Cadiz’s residents live in one census tract; the figures are that tract’s.
The typical Ohio town has lower expected damage than 79% of U.S. towns; within the state, Cadiz has less expected damage per building than 100% of Ohio towns.
In dollars, FEMA expects about $573K a year in losses across Cadiz: $371K to buildings, the rest to people and crops.
Does Cadiz flood? No paid flood claims on record
FEMA’s records show no paid flood insurance claims in Cadiz. That’s not a promise: most homes don’t carry flood insurance, so small floods go unrecorded.
Cadiz isn’t in FEMA’s Community Rating System, which cuts flood insurance up to 45% in towns that do extra flood-proofing.
Insurance rates: Harrison County.6 federal disasters brought FEMA money to Cadiz
Disasters that paid out in Cadiz itself (aid to households or repair grants to the Village of Cadiz), newest first, with that year’s flood claims.
- 2012Severe Storms and Straight-line Winds$3K to the Village of Cadiz for repairs
- 2008Severe Wind Storm Associated with Tropical Depression Ike$12K to the Village of Cadiz for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding16 households applied for aid$33K aid approved$10K to the Village of Cadiz for repairs
- 2004Severe Storms and Flooding2 households applied for aid$983 aid approved
- 2004Severe Storms, Flooding, Mudslides, and Landslides$5K to the Village of Cadiz for repairs
- 2003Severe Winter Storm and Record/near Record Snow$8K to the Village of Cadiz for repairs
Harrison County has had 14 natural disasters declared by the President since 1953, most often severe storms, then winter storms. Not counted: the 2005 Hurricane Katrina evacuee emergency, which covered counties that took in evacuees.
Old photos of Cadiz after a storm or flood belong in the town’s history. Add one, or share what you remember below.
Add to the Cadiz archive →Cadiz and its neighbors
Cadiz has the lowest expected damage per building of the 2 graded towns here. Tap a town to see its hazards.
| Town | Hazard risk | Mostly (buildings) | Flood claims |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cadiz | A+among the lowest damage | river and rain flooding | 0 |
| Green Township | B+less damage than 68% | river and rain flooding | — |
| Cadiz Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Short Creek Township | — | not graded yet | |
| Archer Township | — | 227 residents; we grade 1,000+ | |
Hazard risk = FEMA’s expected yearly building damage per dollar of building value, vs. the 21,298 U.S. towns we grade; the map is shaded by fifths of the same scale. Flood claims = paid federal flood insurance claims on record.
Get ready for what Cadiz faces
A short kit for the hazards that drive the building damage here, what to check before you buy, and where neighbors get alerts.
- Turn around at flooded roads: a foot of moving water can carry off a car.
- Flood insurance usually takes 30 days to start, so buy it before the forecast.
- Keep papers and medicines up high, in a grab-and-go bag.
- Park in a garage or under cover when storms are forecast.
- Stay away from windows while it falls.
- Photograph roof and car damage for your insurer.
- Pick your spot now: the lowest floor, an inside room, no windows.
- A watch means be ready; a warning means take cover now.
- Keep shoes and a flashlight by the bed.
- Trim dead limbs over the house and driveway.
- Tie down trash cans and outdoor furniture.
- Stay clear of downed lines and call the utility.
- Look up the address on FEMA’s flood map.
- Ask the seller or landlord whether it has ever flooded, and what flood insurance costs there.
- Get a flood insurance quote early: policies usually start 30 days after you buy.
Know where neighbors sign up for alerts? Add it to the Handbook so everyone has it.
Questions about natural hazards in Cadiz
Is Cadiz at risk for natural disasters?
On FEMA’s National Risk Index, Cadiz has among the lowest expected damage per building of U.S. towns: A+ for hazard risk, #1 of 993 in Ohio. Most of the expected damage is river and rain flooding (69%) and hail (10%). The figures are for the one census tract the town shares with its neighbors. This is FEMA’s model of an average year for today’s buildings, not a forecast.
Is Cadiz in a flood zone?
Flood zones are drawn street by street, so the answer depends on the address: look it up on FEMA’s flood map. In Harrison County, 12% of homes in mapped flood zones carry federal flood insurance, and 0.4% of all homes do.
How much is flood insurance in Cadiz?
FEMA’s Community Rating System list shows no discount for Cadiz’s flood program. Premiums depend on the building; policies usually start 30 days after you buy, so get a quote early.
What was the biggest storm in Cadiz?
By FEMA money that reached Cadiz, Severe Storms and Flooding (2004): 16 households applied for aid, $33K approved, and $10K to the Village of Cadiz for repairs.
Is Cadiz at risk from river and rain flooding?
It is the largest share of the building damage FEMA expects here (69%), and Cadiz’s rate for it is lower than 96% of U.S. census tracts.
Storm stories
Memories, warnings and help from neighbors in Cadiz.
Sources: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), census-tract table, combined by where Cadiz’s residents lived in the 2020 census; OpenFEMA: NFIP redacted claims, multiple-loss properties, community status book and residential penetration rates, housing assistance (owners and renters), public assistance funded projects, hazard mitigation properties and disaster declarations. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. Preparedness tips: Ready.gov. FEMA’s model is an average of expected damage, not a forecast. How hazard risk is graded.